Nothing is quite as bad as finally taking possession of a new car, only to find out later that it is a lemon. The months of saving and planning have now become a major problem, costing you time and money. Fortunately, when you buy a new vehicle, you are protected against repetitive failures by the lemon law in your state.
Every State Has A Lemon Law:
Although there are variations, every state and the District of Columbia have a lemon law in place. Although there are a few states that protect the buyer of a used vehicle, the laws in most states only apply to new vehicles purchased from a manufacturer’s authorized dealer.
In general, states lemon laws are based on certain criteria that include:
* The vehicle must have been in the dealer’s service department for a certain number of times for the same problem. The number of unsuccessful attempts in most cases is limited to three.
* The vehicle has been in the shop for repair of the same problem for a certain period. For most states it is 30 days.
* The problem was first reported within a certain period; usually, one or two years or before the vehicle reached a certain number of miles.
* The problem is a manufacturing defect, not one caused by abuse or neglect.
What Can You Do If Your Car Meets The Criteria?
If your vehicle fits the definition of a lemon, then you have recourse. You can insist that the manufacturer provides you with a new vehicle that is substantially the same or you can return the vehicle to the dealer and insist on a full refund of all costs associated with the purchase.
If the manufacturer or dealer refuses to refund your money or provide a new vehicle, the lemon law in every state allows you to sue.
Every state has a lemon law, if you believe your vehicle meets the criteria in your jurisdiction, visit the Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center®.
